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Publisher's Summary

In The Making of Modern Britain, Andrew Marr paints a fascinating portrait of life in Britain during the first half of the 20th century as the country recovered from the grand wreckage of the British Empire.

Between the death of Queen Victoria and the end of the Second World War, the nation was shaken by war and peace. The two wars were the worst we had ever known and the episodes of peace among the most turbulent and surprising. As the political forum moved from Edwardian smoking rooms to an increasingly democratic Westminster, the people of Britain experimented with extreme ideas as they struggled to answer the question 'how should we live?' Socialism? Fascism? Feminism?

Meanwhile, fads such as eugenics, vegetarianism and nudism were gripping the nation, and the popularity of the music hall soared. It was also a time that witnessed the birth of the media as we know it today and the beginnings of the welfare state.

Beyond trenches, flappers and Spitfires, this is a story of strange cults and economic madness, of revolutionaries and heroic inventors, sexual experiments and raucous stage heroines. From organic food to drugs, nightclubs and celebrities to package holidays, crooked bankers to sleazy politicians, the echoes of today's Britain ring from almost every chapter.

If you could sum up The Making of Modern Britain in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, factual, wonderful

What did you like best about this story?

This is a wonderful detailed but quick paced look at the making of Modern Britain. The gradual change of the British and the events that sparked them.

Which character – as performed by David Timson – was your favourite?

Winston Churchill plays a massive role throughout most of this book, appearing at various points and you can hear him in the quotes.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's not emotional. Just interesting.

Any additional comments?

This is a really well put together book. Has lots of facts but never dull. It covers subjects in enough detail and the way the book links all the major points in British history is very smart. I learnt a lot. This is like the best ever history lesson. Very very well read also. Shall move onto the other book from the War until present day.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

David J. Carpenter

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire United Kingdom

3/1/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"A panoramic overview "

A good introduction to help understanding who we are and where we've come from, and what has transpired to help shape the Britain we know today.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

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